PilotEdge Forums

Hi guys,

Ive been flying a lot of IFR recently in my trusty turbine duke. I'm struggling to file a flight plan that isnt completely obliterated by the clearance controller. I usually get a full route readback which obviously creates workload for the controller. Ive been getting my route from a mixture of Sky Vector and PEAware. It appears to me the routes im filing are traditionally for the jets. So what is the best way to approach this? I either need a reliable source for IFR flight plans to match my aircraft type or is it feasible to file my flight plan but leave the route blank and let the controller give me the relevant flight plan?

Thanks
Sid

1) watch this http://www.pilotedge.net/workshops/ifr- ... tec-routes

2) consider doing the I-ratings

3) after done with the above^, use some external resources like the NFDC preferred route database and myflightrroute.com to help with your searches. The NFDC is nationwide preferring routing and MFR is only for SoCal TEC routes. NFDC can sometimes be wrong but is good for me 99% of the time.

Thanks Kyle I have studied tec routes but not actually flown one yet. My understanding is they are intended for short hops underneath busy airspace. Last night I flew from LAX TO LAS so not sure if there is a tec route for that. Ive tried to search using the link provided but each time it says no results. I'm only entering origin and destination though...although according to the instructions it says enter one or more fields.

There are no routes in the NFDC site for LAX-LAS.
There isn't a TEC route for these because LAS is not in the Socal TRACON area.
I am strongly suggesting you watch the workshop video I posted above (if not ALL of the workshops), then do the I-ratings prior to attempting an IFR flight on pilotedge. It takes a while but you will learn a great deal and become "Comfortable" with these type of flights, instead of second guessing yourself.


Here is what I do when trying to plan a flight:

1) I look to see if there is a TEC route or mandatory routing (NFDC site and Myflightroute/FAA Digital Chart Supplement)

2) Then I look at FLightAware (real world) or PeAware (on pilotedge only) to see what others have been "Cleared" for... meaning they flew during times of PE operation and they made it to the destination.
http://flightaware.com/live/findflight/
http://peaware.pilotedge.net/

3) If nothing else is coming up, plan my own and hope it doesn't get an amendment.


Now... with that said, full route clearances is a part of real world aviation. Sometimes you may have done everything right but there is a temporary route discrepancy for some unknown aspect on the back end of the national airspace system that won't allow you to fly that route. Just take the route amendment and have fun re-planning haha.
(never program you plane to fly the route until you have contacted clearance delivery and got your clearance)

Thanks Kyle good advice, I am working my way through the workshops believe me but there are a TON. Im happy getting the full route clearance I just dont want to burden the controllers with my dodgy flight planning. Thanks for the advice I'll take it all away and come back stronger lol.

Glad I could help!

I filed a TEC route the other day from KPSP to KSBA, and got a partial route amendment, partly I think because someone else was flying the exact same route at the same time! The lesson I took from this was not to input the route into the FMS until I had the clearance. Also to have a really good pen handy! Another thing that is well worth doing, which I have seen suggested on here before, is to have a really good look through your flight plan and look especially at the names of the VOR's and intersections, as the controller will sometimes give you a direct clearance to a VOR , bypassing the inital part of the flight plan, and refer to the VOR by name rather than the three letter designation - I found that confusing the first time it happened ( Paradise? what the heck is paradise?). Am currently on my second viewing of all the IFR you tube content, solid gold.

+1 to the post above. I do this all the time, including looking at the possible SID/Stars so I can anticipate the name and write it down properly. This allows me to copy the clearance down unflustered and read it back like a pro. Ha!

Acroshaw wrote:I filed a TEC route the other day from KPSP to KSBA, and got a partial route amendment, partly I think because someone else was flying the exact same route at the same time.

You would not be rerouted because of another aircraft on that route. There is a thing called Enroute/in trail spacing and it wouldn't matter.
I think you may have filed for the PSPN17 TEC route instead of the PSPN16 (or vise versa).
TEC routes will vary depending on your aircraft type (J,M,P or Q). Reference the attached picture.

Acroshaw,

What did you file and what plane were you flying?